THE skies turned bright at the New York Hotel in Johor Bahru on Saturday when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived largely alone to attend a hi – tea reception with the Johor Christian leaders here.
He was on a brisk campaign trail, as Johor observes its mandatory state election to elect representatives for another five – year term.
One year shy of reaching the octogenarian age, Anwar kept a hectic pace, attending up to 16 programmes over the last weekend in the southernmost state.
There were 43 tables taken up on the ballroom for the reception but unlike other programmes, Anwar decided to attend alone, conscious that he was visiting Johor to canvass for votes more as the paramount leader of the ruling coalition of Pakatan Harapan (PH) rather than as PMX (Prime Minister).
There were just security officials accompanying him, missing were the government minders, who follow his every move since he became prime minister.
There were moderate applause and greetings; some in the crowd surge forward to snap selfies or shake his hands, but the response was mostly subdued compared to when PH was at the height of its popularity in 2018.
The crowd listened to the usual chatter about how Malaysians are largely united and the country can only progress if everyone is on the same page.
But outside of the hotel, one can sense that polarisation is apparent – PH campaigns on three different patios – PKR and Parti Amanah Nasional tackles the limited Malay ground whereas DAP handles mostly the Chinese while Anwar also spends time with the Indians – in a state where 60% is said to be Malay Muslim / Bumiputras whereas the rest are the minorities.
The applause was muted compared to when Anwar’s famous call of “anak Melayu anak saya, anak Cina, anak saya dan anak India, anak saya,” roared decades earlier.
It translates to all Malaysians are his children; it may look good on paper but in reality the race and religious divide is apparent and real on the ground.
There is also a presence of Sarawakians and Sabahans in the state, and they have switched addresses due to work to enable them to vote here.
Organising chairperson Rev. James Suppiah, who is part of the advisory council of the National Unity Ministry, praised Anwar for looking fit and appealing, and then peppered his speech with the needs of the Christians in Johor.
Namely tax exemption for religious premises and land allocation to have a multi – purpose building to house all the different Christian denominations active here.
Anwar made stirring remarks that his Madani national unity administration and PH will not back down from ensuring that all Malaysians are treated fairly despite the efforts of certain quarters to exploit race and religious faultlines.
Despite attaining independence for over 60 – years, Anwar said that some parties continue to harp on the divide issues rather than on what the country needs to progress in a highly competitive global climate.
While his stance is clear that all Malaysians be treated fairly while the special rights of the bumiputras continue to be uphold due to the social contract secured during Independence, Anwar acknowledged that there is stiff resistance to his efforts.
He wants and implores on all levels of the government to follow his suit in being fair to all Malaysians if the country is to survive and prosper.
All levels constitute those from the federal side to the states and local government, says Anwar to the small moments of applause he received.
He said that the country needs to also be incorruptible to progress.
He reiterated that his Madani administration will neither concede nor compromise that every citizen needs to be treated fairly regardless of race and religion.
“I acknowledge that despite our best efforts to fight racialism, it exists by those championing the narrative of religious bigotry.”
Those who shout the loudest on championing race supremacy are equally those who are the most corruptible, the Finance Minister says.
It sounded familiar for those following the Penang – born leader for decades, so now one can only wonder if such repetitive messaging can still transcend to the non – Muslims to make their votes count for PH.
The intermediate reaction, is that the non – Muslims may shun from voting or in the words of DAP icon Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, split their votes between PH and the new upstart – Bersama party helmed by Anwar’s former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who is pulling in a sizeable crowd when his campaign truck rolls into Johor.
Anwar’s political secretary Chan Ming Kai was present, hoping that the social media channels can reach all audience, including the vast Johorians working in Singapore to return and fulfill their democratic rights as voters.
There are reportedly about 300,000 to 400,000 Malaysians residing in Johor but working in Singapore – it may represent hope for PH to capture the non – Muslim ground to arrest a perceived decline in support for the ruling coalition.
This election is no longer about promises but about the future of the country – whether PH can withstand the surge of a Malay ground galvanised by the largest political parties in the country – Umno and PAS, who seemed to be working together.
History has proven that race and religion alone, is not adequate to govern; there is a need to ensure a balanced representation to portray the original standing of a nation – founded on the principles of a diverse base. – July 7, 2026
John Chin is a contributor for Scoop.